It’s not uncommon for school buildings to have an enclosed courtyard (a non-roofed area enclosed by the walls of the building) where occupants must travel back through the building in order to reach an exit. And as with any other interior room or space, courtyard occupants must have free and uninhibited access to one or more exits. However, past fire and building code editions have lacked specific guidance on how to maintain a conforming means of egress from an interior courtyard while still providing for building security.

This policy provides guidance and methods for achieving egress requirements from courtyards in existing school buildings. This policy does not apply to newly constructed courtyards. New courtyards must fully comply with the current editions of the Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC) and Minnesota Building Code (MBC). For the purposes of this policy, an occupant load factor of 50 square feet/person will be used for determining occupant load based on school vocational and exercise areas as listed in MSFC Table 1004.5. However, where occupied for assembly purposes the appropriate occupant load factor in Table 1004.5 must be used based on concentrated or unconcentrated use.

MSFC requirements for courtyards 2,500 square feet or more in area

Note: the following provisions are consistent with the minimum egress requirements for existing buildings in the MSFC. Courtyards in existing school buildings that are 2,500 square feet or more in area and occupied by students, general staff, or the public must meet the following criteria:

• The courtyard must be provided with two or more conforming means of egress as determined by the occupant load. Each exit access door must:
  • Swing in the direction of egress travel,
  • Be equipped with exit signage,
  • Equipped with panic hardware, and
  • Not be capable of being locked from the egress (courtyard) side
• At no point in the courtyard shall the common path of egress travel exceed 75 feet in non- sprinklered buildings, or 100 feet in fully-sprinklered buildings.
  • The common path of egress travel is that portion of exit access travel distance measured from the most remote point of each room, area or space to that point where the occupants have separate and distinct access to two exits or exit access doorways.
• In buildings provided with fire alarm systems, fire alarm notification appliances (both audible and visible) are installed in the courtyard.

Policy for courtyards less than 2,500 square feet in area

Courtyards in existing school buildings that are less than 2,500 square feet in area and occupied by students, general staff, or the public are allowed to have a single exit. This exit can have key-locking hardware on both sides of the door as long as the following criteria are met:

• The occupant load of the courtyard is limited to 49 occupants.
• At no point in the courtyard shall the common path of egress travel exceed 75 feet in non- sprinklered buildings, or 100 feet in fully-sprinklered buildings.
  • The common path of egress travel is that portion of exit access travel distance measured from the most remote point of each room, area or space to that point where the occupants have separate and distinct access to two exits or exit access doorways.
• In buildings provided with fire alarm systems, fire alarm notification appliances (both audible and visible) are installed in the courtyard.
• All areas of the courtyard must be visible from the door or windows serving the courtyard.
• School staff must supervise all activities during the use of the courtyard.
• The school’s emergency plan must include procedures for ensuring the courtyard is evacuated during emergencies.
• Doors must remain unlocked when the courtyard is in use. A durable and readily visible sign must be posted at each required exit access door stating: THIS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED WHEN THE OUTDOOR AREA IS OCCUPIED. Lettering must be at least 1-inch high on a contrasting background.
• Staff supervising the courtyard must carry keys for all locks installed on exit access doors.
• School maintenance staff and the lead administrator of the building must possess keys for courtyard door locks.
• Doors must remain locked to prevent unauthorized entry into the courtyard when not in use.
• Where courtyards are allowed to be occupied under this section, the local fire code official must be made aware of the conditions for use.

Alternative policy option for all courtyards

Where approved by the fire code official pursuant to MSFC Section 102.8, the following criteria from the 2021 International Fire Code may be used to allow occupancy of enclosed courtyards where required exit access doors are equipped with key-operated locking hardware.

• The maximum occupant load shall be posted in a conspicuous location inside the building near each exit access doorway.
• A weatherproof telephone or two-way communication system conforming to MSFC §1009.8.1 and
• §1009.8.2 shall be located adjacent to at least one required exit access door on the exterior side.
• The egress door locking device must be key operated and of an indicating type (readily distinguishable as locked or unlocked).
• A clear window or glazed door opening must be provided at each exit access door to determine whether occupants are using the courtyard. Each window or glazed door opening must have a minimum area of 5 square feet.